I was 98% sure it was dead....

[EgypSwiftLady]

My E.S. eggs were due to hatch yesterday, one did start to hatch but by the time I found it this AM the parents must not have been sitting on it for most of the night because the egg with the baby was cold, like it had been sitting in the frig.
I grabbed the egg, which had started to pip last night and set it up under a heat emitter hoping that maybe it was still alive. An hour later I came back dreading that I would find a dead squab but instead found it alive.

Its been so long since I've done any handfeeding and most of that was with parrots, how long does the baby feed off of the yolk sack ?
I've been researching and have found alot of info but seem to have missed this.

Thanks.

[Lovebirds]

I have no idea. I expect that the parents begin feeding them once they've dried off, however I don't know how long that takes either. So, you're going to handraise this one? Don't think the parents will take it back? They need a spanking.

[EgypSwiftLady]

Originally Posted by Lovebirds

I have no idea. I expect that the parents begin feeding them once they've dried off, however I don't know how long that takes either. So, you're going to handraise this one? Don't think the parents will take it back? They need a spanking.

I gave them a stern talking to! They are first time parents, so I'm hoping this will NEVER happen again. The baby was so cold And its been at last 2 hours since I took it out of the nest... do you think they will take it back and care for it? Its so tiny, I wish they would.

[Charis]

Wow Robin, they might take it back, but it sounds to me like you are "it".
I would start feeding as soon as the baby is thoroughly warm.
You may need to rub it's little bottom, with a warm damp cloth, the first few times to get it to poop. Just so you be prepared.

[Lovebirds]

Originally Posted by EgypSwiftLady

I gave them a stern talking to! They are first time parents, so I'm hoping this will NEVER happen again. The baby was so cold And its been at last 2 hours since I took it out of the nest... do you think they will take it back and care for it? Its so tiny, I wish they would.

Is there another egg, or just this one? If you've got a dummy egg, you might try putting it in the bowl and see what they do. If they decide to go back and sit on it, it might be worth a try slipping the baby under who ever is on the nest and see how they react. First timers can be a little iffy sometimes.

[EgypSwiftLady]

Originally Posted by Lovebirds

Is there another egg, or just this one? If you've got a dummy egg, you might try putting it in the bowl and see what they do. If they decide to go back and sit on it, it might be worth a try slipping the baby under who ever is on the nest and see how they react. First timers can be a little iffy sometimes.

I just put an egg back in their nest and have a secruity camera on them, but they are both outside so this most likely isn't going to work.

[EgypSwiftLady]

Originally Posted by Charis

Wow Robin, they might take it back, but it sounds to me like you are "it".
I would start feeding as soon as the baby is thoroughly warm.
You may need to rub it's little bottom, with a warm damp cloth, the first few times to get it to poop. Just so you be prepared.

The babies moving around more so I'll try to get a bit of food into it.

Charis do you know where I can order some feeding tubes? I have a gavage needle, but its way too big.

Thanks.

[Charis]

For now use a 1cc-2cc syringe. Just open the mouth and put at the back of the throat. In time, it may start ot gobbel it ths way with out the tube. You should be able to get a rubber tube from your vet if it turns out you need it. If not, I can get one and send it to you.

[EgypSwiftLady]

Originally Posted by Charis

For now use a 1cc-2cc syringe. Just open the mouth and put at the back of the throat. In time, it may start ot gobbel it ths way with out the tube. You should be able to get a rubber tube from your vet if it turns out you need it. If not, I can get one and send it to you.

Charis, thats exactly the way I've been feeding it, I'm just afraid of liquid getting into its lungs.
I've been feeding a watery exact handfeeding diet, do think I should get up during the night to feed? When I had to feed parrot chicks from the egg I had to get up at least once during the night, not sure how baby pigeons are.
Thanks.

[Charis]

I would feed this baby every time the crop empties and for the first few days I would feed during the night too...sorry!
If you feed small amounts at a time, it will be ok. I never tube little, little babies. I wait until they are older before I start that.

[maryjane]

Wow, those naughty parents! Seems to happen a lot with first-time parents. I've never fed one that young, but from a few days old I've found this method easy as a hand-feeding method:

http://picasaweb.google.com/awrats3333/BabyFeeding

It mimics how they eat from the parents, and they learn really quickly how to stick their beak into the hole and eat. Makes it a lot easier for you and them, and then you don't have to worry about sending food down the airway. Good luck and I hope it works out. Those babies sure can fool you, I've had ones before that I was SURE were dead, and thought "Oh, just for the heck of it...." and with some heat they come back to life. I'm glad your little one made it!

[warriec]

Please let us know if there was a second egg and if so what happened to it. If there was an egg or baby you are better putting the baby back asap and the parents will continue feeding. i have put 5 day olf chicks with parents whos eggs have not hatched and they continued feeding

hand rearing is difficulr, you need to get the right conbo for feed and you need to have plenty of time and patiance, if you are a new comer to hand feeding you are better of letting the parents feed.

[EgypSwiftLady]

Originally Posted by maryjane

Wow, those naughty parents! Seems to happen a lot with first-time parents. I've never fed one that young, but from a few days old I've found this method easy as a hand-feeding method:

http://picasaweb.google.com/awrats3333/BabyFeeding

It mimics how they eat from the parents, and they learn really quickly how to stick their beak into the hole and eat. Makes it a lot easier for you and them, and then you don't have to worry about sending food down the airway. Good luck and I hope it works out. Those babies sure can fool you, I've had ones before that I was SURE were dead, and thought "Oh, just for the heck of it...." and with some heat they come back to life. I'm glad your little one made it!

Thanks maryjane, I'll keep that in mind right now this baby is just way too small.

[EgypSwiftLady]

Originally Posted by Charis

I would feed this baby every time the crop empties and for the first few days I would feed during the night too...sorry!
If you feed small amounts at a time, it will be ok. I never tube little, little babies. I wait until they are older before I start that.

Guess I'll be watching some late night TV.
Thanks for the help.

[Charis]

Call me if you need to!